Display rack



Dec. 24, 1968 G. CLOSE DISPLAY RACK Filed June 14. 1966 INVENTOR 6407/ 405;-

United States Patent 3,417,872 DISPLAY RACK Garth Close, Lubbock, Tex., assignor to United Steel and Wire Company, Battle Creek, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed June 14, 1966, Ser. No. 557,529 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-59) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A merchandising display unit mountable upon bracket means securable to upright wall means. Said display unit has at least two horizontally spaced and substantially coextensive arms comprising at least two vertically spaced, elongated and substantially coextensive rods adjustably secured to said bracket means, said rods having stiffening means secured therebetween and further including connecting means releasably securable to said arms. The merchandising display unit further includes article engaging means releasably securable to said arms and said connecting means.

The present invention relates to a merchandising displaying unit, and more particularly, to a merchandising display unit for use in displaying such items as sealed display packages mounted on cardboard backing and secured thereto by a plastic, transparent covering.

With increased numbers of products on the market, it has become an ever-increasing problem with merchants to properly display the goods so that a customer can easily view the merchandise as he walks past. If merchandise is improperly displayed it usually has a low turnover rate due to the fact that people cannot find, or do not see, the particular product. On the other hand, if the merchandise is properly displayed, a particular product may remind the customer of an out-of-the-ordinary household need, thus, giving him a reason, or reminding him, to buy the product. This is particularly true of items known to the merchandising trade as impulse items.

The problem that merchants have, and long have had, in properly displaying merchandise, particularly impulse merchandise, is primarily the limitations of the shelf space. A merchant does not want to use vital shelving in order to display goods which are only purchased on impulse. Many stores display sealed display packages on pins extending outwardly from a peg board. Others keep them in a bin or barrel. However, a peg board is usually flat and takes up vital wall space and even causing, in some instances, the removal of existing shelving to accommodate the peg board. Thus, the use of peg boards makes it impossible to properly display merchandise which has a turnover rate higher than that of the sealed display packages and the use of a bin or barrel presents difiiculties which are too obvious to require delineation. Thus, a need has long existed to properly display, without sacrificing existing shelf space, small item merchandise, especially that purchased sporadically.

Accordingly, the objects of the present invention include:

(1) To provide a merchandising display unit for displaying small item packages without sacrificing existing shelf space.

(2) To provide a unit, as aforesaid, particularly adaptable to merchandise packaged in transparent display packages.

(3) To further provide a merchandising display unit which can be used with existing vertically standing posts having shelf-supporting brackets secured thereto.

(4) To further provide a merchandise display arm "ice which can be secured to the existing vertically standing posts having shelf-supporting brackets secured thereto.

(5) To further provide a. merchandise display arm which can be secured to a wide variety of vertically standing posts by further providing a plurality of attachments designed to fit the varying slot designs of known vertically standing posts.

(6) To further provide a merchandise display unit and/ or arm which can be independently secured to a wall without the aid of a vertically standing post.

(7) To further provide a merchandise display unit and/or arm which can be secured to the surface of an existing shelf.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one end of a merchandising display unit embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a merchandising display arm embodying the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevational view of one end of the display arm.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the bracket components used in connecting the display arm to the shelf-mounting means.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified bracket for connecting the display arm to the shelfrnounting means.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of another modified bracket for connecting the display arm to the shelf-mounting means.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of another modified bracket for connecting the display arm to the shelfmounting means.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another modified bracket capable of being secured to a wall or to the surface of an existing shelf and illustrating in broken lines one end of the display arm.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words front, rear, outer, inner and the like shall have reference to the left and right sides, respectively, of the device appearing in FIGURE 2. The words upwardly, downwardly and the like shall have reference to respective figures of the drawings.

Summary of the invention The objects and purposes of the invention, including those set forth above, have been met by providing a merchandise display unit comprised of at least one elongated mounting member which is rigidly securable to a suitable mounting surface. If desired a pair of same can be used in spaced and parallel relationship with a connecting member extending therebetween. Each mounting member, and the connecting member if used, has a plurality of spaced, transverse openings. A plurality of display arms are attachable to said mounting members by means of a suitable bracket device. Each bracket device has outwardly projecting extensions receivable into the openings in said mounting members for removably holding said display arm in a fixed position with respect to said mounting members. By appropriate adjustment of the bracket device, the inclination of the display arm with respect to the mounting members can be changed.

Detailed description A merchandising display unit 10 (FIGURE 1) cornprises post members 11 having a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally facing openings 12 having parallel axes. Such shelving is well known and needs no detailed explanation, although US. Patents 2,936,147 and 3,009,-

581 may be mentioned as examples. A display arm 13 extends outwardly away from the post 11 and comprises a pair of vertically spaced rod members 14 and 15, having a stiffening member 16 alternatingly extending between the rod members 14 and and secured thereto by any conventional means, preferably by welding. The outermost ends of the rod members 14 and 15 are preferably joined together as shown in FIGURE 2. The innermost ends of the rod members 14 and 15 are joined together by a flange member 18 (FIGURE 3) which is welded thereto. The flange member includes a pair of openings 20 and 21, said opening 21 being larger than opening 20 for reasons which will later become apparent.

The flange member 18 has a pair of bracket members 23 and 24 releasably secured thereto by nut means 25 and bolt means 26 to define a bracket member 27. The bracket member 27 is designed so that the members 23 and 24 will fit into the horizontally facing openings 12 in the post members 11. In this particular embodiment, the bracket members 23 and 24 are designed to fit into the slots 12 and accordingly have a thin cross section. Bracket member 23 has a pair of outwardly extending projections 28 and 29 designed so that the right end (FIGURE 4) is of greater height than the left end 30. The distance from the uppermost tip of projection 28 to the lowermost tip of projection 29, across the end 34, is slightly greater than the height of the slots 12 in the post members 11. A hole 30 is provided opposite the end 34 for receiving the bolt means 26.

Bracket member 24 is of generally arcuate shape, having an upwardly extending projection 31 from the right end thereof. A notch 32 is positioned adjacent the right end along the lower edge of bracket member 24. An elongated slot 33 is placed through the bracket mem ber 24 somewhat coextensive therewith for receiving the bolt means 26.

An article-engaging hook 36 is secured to the lower rod member 15 at a point spaced from the post 11. The article-engaging hook 36 is designed so that it can be easily attached to, or removed from, the display arm or adjusted with respect thereto. Here this is accomplished by attaching it to or by preforming the end 36A thereof to wrap partially around, and resiliently grip, the rod member 15.

It is to be understood that the merchandising display unit may comprise two of such display arms 13 horizontally spaced from one another a distance substantially equal to the distance between a pair of post members 11. In such case, a connecting member 37 is releasably secured to the display arm 13. The consrtuction of the connecting member 37 is somewhat similar to the construction of the display arm 13. That is, the connecting member 37 comprises a pair of vertically spaced rod members 38 and 39 having a stiffening member 40 alternately extending between the rod members 38 and 39 and secured thereto by any convenient means, such as by welding. However, the ends of the rod members 38 and 39 are in this structure not joined together but have end portions formed into U-shaped hooks 41 and 42, respectively. The U-shaped hooks 41 and 42 are resigned so that they may be hooked around any one of the stiffening rods 16 on the display arm 13. A plurality of hook members 45 are releasably secured to said connecting members by any conventional means, but preferably by means which are easily attached onto or removed from, the rod members 38 and 39. Here this is accomplished by providing the upper hook member 45A to engage the upper rod member 38 and the lower hook member 45B to engage the lower rod member 39.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 illustrate modified bracket members 27A, 27B and 27C. The purpose of the varied designs of the bracket members permits the display unit to be attached to post members having different slot openings therein. These can be multiplied further and modified as needed to fit the bracket openings in posts 11 of various designs. The openings in the bracket members are positioned so that the display arm 13 can be adjusted through varying degrees of inclination.

The bracket member 27D, shown in FIGURE 8, is designed so that it may be attached to either the surface of a wall or the surface of an existing shelf 43 (FIGURE 2). The bracket member 27D is generally L-shaped and comprises, in the shorter leg 44, a plurality of holes 46 designed to receive fastening members (not shown) for securing the bracket to either the wall or the shelf 43. The longer leg 47 of the L-shaped bracket 27D comprises a plurality of holes 48 somewhat arcuately aligned. A hole 49 is provided in the leg portion 47 spaced from the generally arcuately aligned pattern of holes 48. The purpose of this hole pattern will later become apparent.

Operation Although the operation of the display unit, above described, may be evident from an examination of the drawings, a detailed analysis of same will nevertheless be given in order to insure a complete understanding of the invention.

The display arm 13 is first positioned with respect to the post member 11 so that the bracket member 27 comprising the bracket parts 23 and 24, is aligned with the slots 12 therein. The nut members 25 and bolt members 26 are loosely holding the bracket parts 23 and 24 to the flange member 18. The bracket parts 23 and 24 are moved so that the projections 28 and 29 on the bracket member 23 and the projection 31 on the bracket member 24 can be inserted through the openings 12. The bracket parts 23 and 24 are inserted into the slots 12, with the lower edge of :a slot 12 entering into the slot 32, and adjusted so that the projection 28 extends above the upper limits of the slot opening 12. The bracket member 27 will then hold the arm 13 in place and can be removed at will in the same manner as is well known for shelf brackets. The angle of inclination of the display arm 13 is then determined by the operator installing this apparatus. Once the angle of inclination has been determined, the nut members 25 and bolt members 26 may be tightened so that the bracket members 23 and 24 become rigidly secured to the flange member 18, thus preventing any change in the inclination of the display arm 13.

Hook members 36 may be placed on the display arm 13, preferably extending outwardly from the lower edge of the display arm 13 as shown in FIGURE 2. The sealed display packages may then be hung on the hooks 36 and displayed.

A mechandising display unit 10 may be constructed by utilizing a plurality of display arms 13, spaced from one another a distance substantially equal to the distance between the post members 11. Connecting members 37, which are of length substantially equal to the space between a corresponding pair of post members 11, may be secured to the stiffening member 16 on the display arm 13 by placing the hooks 41 and 42 around the stiflening member 16. Hook members 45 may be placed on the connecting members 37 for displaying the merchandise.

When a diflerent style of post 11 is used, varying styles of bracket members 27A, 27B and 27C may be used therewith. The function performed by these bracket member is essentially the same as bracket member 27 and will be understood from the explanation already given.

The bracket 27D shown in FIGURE 8 is designed so that it may be placed on a wall and secured thereto by fastening means being placed through the openings 46 therein. The display arm 13 is secured to the bracket member 27D in the same fashion as it is secured to the bracket members 27A, 27B and 27C and held at the desired angle by proper choice of holes 48. The bracket member 27D may also be placed on the upper surface of a shelf 43 (FIGURE 2) so that the shorter leg 44 is coplanar therewith. Fastening means, such as screws, may be placed 5 through the openings 46 and into the surface of the shelf 43 so that the bracket 27D will be secured thereto.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modificatiOns thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

I claim:

1. A merchandising display unit mountable upon a pair of elongated and parallel members horizontally spaced from each other, each member having a plurality of spaced openings with parallel axes, comprising in combination:

bracket means secured to said members;

merchandise display means having at least two horizontally spaced, elongated and substantially coextensive arms :adjustably securable to said bracket means, said arms including vertically offset rod members having stifiening means secured thereto and extending therebetween;

connecting means having a pair of elongated and vertically spaced and substantially coextensive elements releasably securable to said stiffening means and extending between said pair of horizontally spaced arms; article engaging means releasably securable to at least one of said rod members and said elements of said connecting means.

'2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said elements of said connecting means includes at least two vertically spaced, elongated rods having hooked ends which are releasably receivable on said stiffening means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 763,061 6/1904 Keil 248242 2,060,760 11/ 1936 Keil 248243 XR 2,136,109 11/1938 Kress 248-242 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 711,280 6/1931 France. 1,346,778 12/1963 France.

369,958 7/ 1963 Switzerland.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

ABRAHAM FRANKEL, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

